A soldier of the First World War who was born and brought up in Exeter, will be remembered at a public event taking place in the Higher Cemetery of the city on Saturday 15th September, 100 years after he was killed in action.

Walter Hooper grew up at 97 Portland Street before he emigrated with his uncle to America in 1914, the First World War began just a few weeks later.

When United States joined the war in 1917 Walter enlisted with the American Expeditionary Force and served in France as a Private. He was killed in July 1918 aged 21 and was buried in France.

However in 1921, at the special request of his parents in Exeter, Walter’s body like many other American soldiers of the conflict, was exhumed and reinterred in Exeter, which was paid for by the American government. Hundreds of citizens of Exeter attended his funeral.

The event on 15th September starting at 2pm has been organised by Friends of Higher Cemetery, and will be attended by the Lord Mayor of Exeter

Councillor Rob Hannaford, and Lieutenant Colonel David MacDonald the Assistant Army Attaché of the Embassy of the United States of America wgi will lay wreaths at the grave.

Local historian and Chair of FOHC will give a talk inside the main chapel of the cemetery about Private Hooper’s life, which will be followed by a visit to the graveside for a short service of remembrance led by Reverend Tanya Hockley-Still, Priest-in-charge of St Marks, Exeter.

Light refreshments will later be served.

Prices to the talk are £3.00 (£1.50 for members), £1 for children.

Children under the age of sixteen must be accompanied by a responsible adult.